Sound distributor for sound reproducers



Oct. 3, 1944. s. H. BARCLAY 2,359,348

SOUND DISTRIBUIPOR FOR SOUND REPRODUCERS Filed "Au 26 1941 INVENTOR- ATTO EY Patented Oct. 3, 1944 SOUND DISTRIBUTOR FOR SOUND REPRODUCERS Spencer H. Barclay, North Arlington, N. J.

Application August 26, 1941, Serial No. 408,281

4 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved sound distributing mechanism for use with sound reproducing machines. The invention is adapted for use in various connections but is particularly adapted for use in connection with check-operated machines in large rooms or halls. The pre ferred form is one hung from a chandelier or the ceiling although the distributing means can be installed on a base.

The invention is further designed to provide an ornamental fixture as it may be rotatably mounted and when provided with a reflecting surface such as small mirror pieces it enhances the appearance of the quarters in which it is placed. This is particularly true where the distributor is rotated and is usually connected to the machine in a way to rotate it only while the music is playing or other feature is being reproduced.

The invention also comprises various details of construction which will be hereinafter more fully described and finally embodied in the clauses of the claims.

The invention is illustrated in the accompany- 4 ing drawing in which Figure 1 is part section and part side view of a preferred form of the improved sound distributor. Figure 2 is a, fragmentary top view of parts taken on line 2 in Figure 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional detail of the bottom of the distributor and its support.

The invention comprises a tapered rotatable sound distributor supported by suitable sounding board and adapted to receive sound from a reproducer mounted on the sounding board and within the distributing device. The whole structure has for its object increased resonance, improved distribution and a pleasing and attractive appearance. The parts are preferably faced with reflecting plates such as small pieces of mirror and when in a well-lighted situation and particularly when rotated the effect is one of brilliancy. This is desirable when the article is in a tavern or other public place. The electrical connections are usually installed to cause the revolving parts to turn only when the music is playing.

The device comprises a base or sounding board I0, usually of wood, and having a central opening II. The reproducer I2 is above the opening and with its horn or megaphone I3 is supported byaframe I4.

The sound distributor I5 is tapered and comprises rings I 6 usually of wood. They overlap and are separatedby small spaces I! and increase in diameter toward the top of the distributor.

The rings are held by braces I8. At the top is a top ring I9 which is spaced from the sounding board Ifl by a slight opening 20. The sound waves from the repr-oducer are distributed by the member I5 to provide a better reception in all parts of a room as compared with the directional delivery from a sound box or chamber with one open side. The distributor is preferably sharply tapered with its sides at an angle of about 45 degrees to the axis of the distributor. The rings are usually arranged with the broader faces transverse to the axis of the distributor.

This is particularly true when the distributor is rotated. The distributor is provided at the bottom with a drum 2| whichis secured in place and is provided with a sleeve 22 which carries ball bearings 22a which roll on a fixed spindle 23 which has a screw threaded end 24, slightly smaller, providing a shoulder 25. The end 24 is supported by a nut 25 resting on the bracket 21 which is secured to the under side of the sounding board ID. The distributor is thus supported at its center on the spindle 23 which is fixed against rotation. The distributor is equipped with the drum 2| which rotates on the spindle. In this way the distributor is suspended only at its center, the friction is reduced to a minimum and the rotation of the distributor is without noise to aiiect the musical or other programme.

The spindle is adjusted to maintain a vertical position and to equalize the opening 20 all around. The adjustment is secured by screws 28 screwed into the bracket 21 and resting on a washer 29 Which in turn rests on the shoulder 25. The screws 28 are spaced, usually four in number, and are screwed down to a position Where the spindle 23 is vertical and the washer thus holds the spindle and consequently the whole distributor in properly adjusted position.

A suitable small electric motor 30 is supported by the bracket 21 and a belt 3| passes around a pulley 32 of the motor and in a groove in the drum 2 I. A wire 34 supplies current to the motor 30 and a wire 35 supplies current to the reproducer I2.

Above the sounding board is a housing consisting of rings 36 arranged in echelon to form a tapered covering for the reproducer. The rings are preferably of wood and fastened together by suitable means such as braces 31. The rings are spaced to provide openings 38. The bottom ring is secured to the sounding board by bolts 39. The top 40 of the housing is provided with a ring II by means of which the whole device can be suspended from a chandelier, a bracket, or from the ceiling.

The tapered distributor, the sounding board, and the open resonant cover or housing all contribute to an even distribution of sound in all directions from the position of the distributor and also insures the resonance and quality necessary in a proper reproduction of music or of voice.

The whole assembly when mounted or suspended from a ceiling or support has been found to distribute the sound more adequately when compared with tests with the distributor at rest. The revolving cone-shaped distributor prevents sound from passing out directly from the loudspeaker due to the plane of the rings being transverse to the directional path of the sound waves from the speaker. This arrangement of the rings causes the sound waves to be directed laterally from the distributor and this is much more pronounced in large rooms or spaces when the distributor is rotated.

The outside of the various members are preferably made reflective by the facing of small colored mirrors 42, only a few of which are shown in Figure 1.

I claim:

1. A sound distributing device comprising a sounding board having a central Opening therein, a speaker mounted above the opening, a distributor suspended below said opening and slight- 1y spaced therefrom, the distributor comprisin separated rings arranged in increasing sizes with their broad faces transverse to the axis of the rings to form a sharply tapered slitted member.

2. A sound distributing device comprising a sounding board having a central opening, a speaker mounted above the opening, a bracket on the under side of the sounding board, a sound distributor of tapered form rotatably secured under the sounding board, the distributor comprising rings of progressively varying diameter and slightly separated, the distributor having a cen' tral spindle secured in the bracket and means for supporting the spindle from the sounding board.

3. A sound distributing device comprising a sounding board having a central opening, a speaker mounted above the opening, a bracket on the under side of the sounding board, a sound distributor of tapered form secured under the sounding board, the distributor comprising rings arranged in progressively larger sizes and slight- 1y separated, the distributor having a central spindle secured in the bracket, the spindle fitting loosely in the bracket, a plate on'the spindle and under the bracket, screws in the bracket and bearing on the plate for adjusting the distributor to prevent tilting and for holding the distributor in spaced relation to the sounding board.

4. A sound distributing device comprising a sounding board, a suspending structure secured to the sounding board and forming a housing for a speaker, the structure being tapered and formed of separated rings, a speaker arranged on the sounding board inside the structure, the sounding board having a central opening below the speaker, a bracket on the under side of the sounding board, a spindle mounted in the bracket, a sound distributor secured to the spindle and spaced from the sounding board, comprising spaced rings arranged in progressively larger sizes and secured to the spindle.

SPENCER I-I. BARCLAY. 

